Modulation of placental angiogenesis by metformin in a rat model of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly disrupts placental structure and function, leading to complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GDM on placental histology, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress, as well as evaluate metformin's protective role in mitigating these changes. A total of 60 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, metformin-treated, GDM, and GDM with metformin.

Role of major cardiovascular surgery-induced metabolic reprogramming in acute kidney injury in critical care.

Purpose: Major cardiovascular surgery imposes high physiologic stress, often causing severe organ dysfunction and poor outcomes. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated metabolic changes induced by major cardiovascular surgery and the potential role of identified metabolic signatures in postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI).

New records on autogenic behavior among populations of Ornithodoros fonsecai (Labruna and Venzal, 2009) (Ixodida: Argasidae) from northeastern Brazil.

Ornithodoros fonsecai is an argasid tick that is endemic to Brazil. The autogeny (the oviposition without a blood meal) can be facultative or obligatory in female ticks of the family Argasidae. The present study reports new records on the facultative autogeny among populations of O.

Severe bradycardia in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and good early response to CPAP.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may lead to heart rhythm abnormalities including bradycardia. Our aim was to ascertain clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with OSA in whom severe bradycardia was detected in an outpatient setting, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of CPAP therapy on heart rate normalization at the early stages of treatment.

Methods: Fifteen patients mild, moderate or severe OSA and concomitant bradycardia were enrolled.

Subtypes of Insulin Restriction in Diabetes Management: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: Insulin restriction is commonly studied as a form of disordered eating, but people may restrict insulin for many reasons. This systematic review examined how insulin restriction has been conceptualized and measured, and its associated predictors and outcomes.

Recent Findings: Forty-seven unique articles measured non-specified insulin restriction (IR), insulin restriction specifically for weight control (IRWC), or both.

Associations of the Gap Between 2-Hour Post-Load Plasma Glucose and Fasting Blood Glucose With All-Cause or Cardiovascular Mortality in US Normoglycemic Adults.

Background: The gap between 2-hour post-load plasma glucose (2 h PG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) has been shown to be informative of the risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes. We aimed to examine the significance of the gap between 2 h PG and FBG in relation to all-cause or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in normoglycemic adults.

Methods: 3611 normoglycemic participants from the 2005-2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included and dichotomized into the low (2 h PG ≤ FBG) and high post-load (2 h PG > FBG) groups.

A Chain of Events Leading to Posttraumatic Subacute Meningitis.

There are few reports that discuss the nebulous entity known as posttraumatic subacute meningitis. Herein, we describe a case where a male was found deceased with Streptococcus pyogenes meningitis 7 days after experiencing head trauma inflicted with a tow chain. Computed tomography scan prior to death revealed a scalp laceration with subcutaneous gas and a subdural hematoma.

Technical advances in laboratory diagnosis of bloodstream infections.

Introduction: Rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for the effective treatment of bloodstream infection (BSI).

Areas Covered: This review aims to address novel and traditional approaches that exhibit different performance characteristics in the diagnosis of BSI. In particular, the authors will discuss the pros and cons of the blood culture-based phenotypic methods, nucleic acid-targeted molecular methods, and host response-targeted biomarker detection in the diagnosis of BSI.

Alternative Role of B/b Knob-Hole Interactions in the Fibrin Assembly.

The self-assembly of fibrin is a vital process in blood clotting, primarily facilitated by the interactions between knobs "A" and "B" in the central E region of one molecule and the corresponding holes "a" and "b" in the peripheral D regions of two other fibrin molecules. However, the precise function of the interactions between knob "B" and hole "b" during fibrin polymerization remains a subject of ongoing debate. The present study focuses on investigating intermolecular interactions between knob "B" and hole "b".

Can febrile neutropenia re-invent its self?

Purpose Of Review: Febrile neutropenia as a complication of cytotoxic chemotherapies, remains a major event in the medical journey of hematology and oncology patients. In this review, we are trying to review the new elements and highlights that are shaping febrile neutropenia in nowadays.

Recent Findings: Introduction of risk-stratification, expanded use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and oral treatment for selected patients and rapid administration of antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of febrile neutropenia.

Peripheral neuropathy: from guidelines to clinical practise.

Purpose Of Review: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a substantial adverse effect of anticancer therapy. No effective preventive strategies are established in clinical routine, although some forms of cryotherapy or compression therapy seem to be promising. CIPN is difficult to grade objectively and has mostly relied on a clinician- or patient-based rating that is subjective and not easily reproducible.

Cancer-associated thrombosis: what is new?

Purpose Of Review: The life expectancy of patients suffering from thrombosis associated with cancer has improved significantly, making them a chronic disease. Patients with thrombosis and cancer are fragile. Treated with anticoagulants, they remain at risk of complications.

Single-Cell Sequencing of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Reveals Immune Landscape of Monkeypox Patients with HIV.

The monkeypox (MPXV) outbreak in 2022 is more prevalent among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While it is plausible that HIV-induced immunosuppression could result in a more severe progression, the exact mechanisms remain undetermined. To better understand the immunopathology of MPXV in patients with and without HIV infection, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 6 patients hospitalized for MPXV, 3 of whom had HIV infection (HIV antibody positive & HIV RNA level below the detection limit), and 3 patients only infected with MPXV (HIV-).

Ectopic overexpression of DNA-/RNA-binding Alba proteins misregulates virulence gene homeostasis during asexual blood development.

Alba domain-containing proteins are ubiquitously found in archaea and eukaryotes. By binding to either DNA, RNA, or DNA:RNA hybrids, these proteins function in genome stabilization, chromatin organization, gene regulation, and/or translational modulation. In the malaria parasite , six Alba domain proteins PfAlba1-6 have been described, of which PfAlba1 has emerged as a "master regulator" of translation during parasite intra-erythrocytic development (IED).

Ability of CHA2DS2-VASc/R2CHA2DS2-VASc Scores to Predict Complications Related to Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

Background: Globally, the number of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasing. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether CHADS-VASc and RCHADS-VASc scores are predictive of CIED-related complications.

Methods: Our investigation was carried out with a multicenter retrospective design.

Comparison of Single Knee Arthroplasty and Bilateral Knee Arthroplasty in Haemophiliacs During a Single Operation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Arthroplasty is the standard treatment for end-stage haemophilic knee arthritis; however, the choice between single knee arthroplasty (SKA) and bilateral knee arthroplasty (BKA) in a single operation remains controversial due to the risks specific to haemophiliacs.

Methods: Two independent researchers conducted searches across CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science, with the last search performed on 15 October 2024. Study results include joint function, complication and various cost.

Operationalising a Haemophilia Gene Editing Lexicon for Practical Use.

Introduction: Gene editing therapies offer the possibility of substantial improvement in treatment and quality of life for people with haemophilia (PWH) in a landscape of dynamic therapeutic advancement. Developing a common and understandable language to discuss gene editing will be essential to ensure these treatments can be deployed in a safe and effective manner with fully informed and shared decision-making between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and PWH. A lexicon explaining and clarifying key concepts is one potential tool to address these aims.

Occurrence and clinical correlates of SARS-CoV-2 viremia in two German patient cohorts.

Viremia defined as detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the blood is a potential marker of disease severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Here, we determined the frequency of viremia in serum of two independent COVID-19 patient cohorts within the German National Pandemic Cohort Network (German: tionales andemie horten etzwerk, NAPKON) with diagnostic RT-PCR against SARS-CoV-2. A cross-sectional cohort with 1,122 COVID-19 patients (German: , SUEP) and 299 patients recruited in a high-resolution platform with patients at high risk to develop severe courses (German: , HAP) were tested for viremia.

NK Count and Natural Cytotoxicity in Immune Nonresponders Versus Responders Living With HIV.

Despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy, immune nonresponders (INR) among people living with HIV (PLWH) still have a higher risk of developing AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related complications. Our study aimed to investigate the phenotype and functions of Natural Killer (NK) cells in INR, to better understand underlying mechanisms of immune nonresponse. Our cross-sectional study included PLWH aged over 45 with an undetectable HIV viral load sustained for at least 2 years.

Immune-Mediated Liver Injury From Checkpoint Inhibitor: An Evolving Frontier With Emerging Challenges.

Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment of cancer, though they come with the risk of immune-related adverse (irAEs) events such as hepatotoxicity or Immune-mediated Liver Injury from Checkpoint Inhibitors (ILICI). ILICI is a serious irAE that, when severe, requires cessation of ICI and initiation of immunosuppression. Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs) play a central role in ILICI; however, they are just part of the picture as immunotherapy broadly impacts all aspects of the immune microenvironment and can directly and indirectly activate innate and adaptive immune cells.

A Novel HTNV Budding Inhibitor Interferes the Interaction Between Viral Glycoprotein and Host ESCRT Accessory Protein ALIX.

Virus budding is a critical step in the replication cycle of enveloped viruses, closely linked to viral spread, disease progression, and clinical outcomes. The budding of many enveloped RNA viruses is facilitated by the hijacking of the host endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins through viral late domains. These late domains are essential for progeny virus production and are highly conserved, making the interaction between late domains and host ESCRT proteins a potential target for the development of antiviral therapeutics.

Clinical Outcomes and Safety Profiles of Generic Versus Brand-Name Clopidogrel in Patients Following Coronary Artery Stent Placement.

Coronary artery disease remains a significant global health issue and is a leading cause of mortality. Dual antiplatelet therapy, including clopidogrel, is essential for preventing stent thrombosis after coronary artery stenting. This study assessed the comparative efficacy and safety of generic versus brand-name clopidogrel in a large Taiwanese cohort.

Association of Pretreatment Serum Indirect Bilirubin Levels With Prognostic and Therapeutic Value in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: Bilirubin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, with an inverse relationship between its levels and cancer risk and prognosis. However, the prognostic value of serum bilirubin in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains uncertain.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed pretreatment serum total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and indirect bilirubin (IBIL) in 284 AML patients and 316 healthy controls.

Associations between circulating amino acids and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in individuals living with severe obesity.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) describes liver diseases caused by the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes (steatosis) as well as the resulting inflammation and fibrosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that accumulation of fat in visceral adipose tissue compartments and the liver is associated with alterations in the circulating levels of some amino acids, notably glutamate. This study aimed to investigate the associations between circulating amino acids, particularly glutamate, and MASLD.